Phoenix Park
Europe's biggest city park boasts more than 707 hectares (1,752 acres) of wilderness and landscaped gardens. Phoenix Park, Dublin's most famed park, is located on the western edge of the city and originally served as a royal deer park in the 17th century. Today, the Irish president and the US ambassador to Ireland have residences within it. Dubliners enjoy its 12 hectares (30 acres) of landscaped gardens with ornamental lakes, nature trails and grassland. The old duelling ground, Fifteen Acres, is now a popular venue for sport while Nine Acres is home to the Irish Polo Club. The park also houses Dublin Zoo - home to over 700 animals and tropical birds.

Dublin Zoo
Phoenix Park
Tel: (01) 474 8900.
Website: www.dublinzoo.ie
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1800, Sun 1030-1800 (summer); Mon-Sat 0930-1600, Sun 1030-1600 (winter). 
Admission charge.

Guinness Storehouse
The world's largest single beer-exporting company began in 1759, when Arthur Guinness brewed the first Guinness. The brewery itself is not open to visitors but a visit to this state-of-the-art museum, housed in a converted warehouse and shaped like a mighty pint glass, tells the visitor everything they ever wanted to know about the famous stout. The tour culminates, of course, with a free pint of the legendary black stuff.

St James's Gate
Tel: (01) 408 4800.
Website: www.guinness-storehouse.com
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700 (open until 1900 Jul and Aug).
Admission charge.